Social Security: Mass Issuance of Counterfeit-Resistant Cards Expensive, butAlternatives Exist

摘要

Since legislation was enacted in 1986 requiring employers to review documents ofprospective employees to establish their right to work in this country, the Social Security card has become one of the primary documents to determine employment eligibility. Following passage of this legislation, concerns have deepened that the card is easily counterfeited and does not prevent individuals from illegally working in the United States due to employers not knowing whether job applicants' cards are genuine. To enhance the security of the card, some Members of Congress have asked, on several occasions, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to estimate the cost issuing a counterfeit-resistant card.